Wednesday, October 03, 2012

Maserati GranCabrio MC international debut at the Paris

International debut at the
2012 Edition of the Paris International Motor Show for Maserati: the GranCabrio
MC. Designed to complete Maserati’s open-top range, the new Maserati GranCabrio
MC blends high performance and sports characteristics derived from racing
experience with the style, charm and practicality of Maserati’s four seater
convertible.

This debut is framed by
Maserati’s presentation of the complete, revamped Sport range, including the
GranTurismo Sport, the GranCabrio Sport – recently presented at the Moscow
Motor Show – and the Quattroporte Sport GT S.

GranCabrio MC

Inspired and encouraged by the
considerable success of the GranTurismo MC Stradale, which was warmly received
by customers thanks to a masterly translation and adaptation of racing
characteristics for use on the road, the new GranCabrio MC completes the
open-top range with a highly sporty and aggressive look, while maintaining the
strengths and characteristics of a true grand tourer, ideal for long journeys.

Exterior

The new, sporty look can be
seen in each stylistic element of the GranCabrio MC’s bodywork. Inspired
directly by the cars of the Maserati Trofeo MC World Series and the GT4
version, the new design perfectly blends sportiness, dynamism, the search for
aerodynamic perfection, elegance and style. These stylistic elements already
partly characterised the GranTurismo MC Stradale and the GranTurismo Sport, and
seamlessly unite form and function.

The car, 48 millimetres longer
than the GranCabrio and GranCabrio Sport, is characterised by a front end which
is inspired directly by the MC Stradale, adopting a profile designed to
optimise the aerodynamic lift and flow. These differ from those on other
versions of the GranCabrio due to the increased car length and other
aerodynamic elements at the rear end.

Thanks to experience gained in
racing and above all to specific analysis of fluid dynamics, the new GranCabrio
MC has an aerodynamic lift coefficient (measured at 140 km/h) which is 10%
lower at the front and 25% lower at the rear compared to the GranCabrio and
GranCabrio Sport.

The bonnet incorporates two
generous air outlets at the centre to optimise cooling of the powerful V8, and
two more air outlets to cool down the brake discs have also been added to the
two front wings.

Initially introduced on the
GranTurismo Sport the new headlights, which adopt LEDs for the daytime running
light (DRL) function, complete the new look of the GranCabrio MC. Though they
maintain the external shape seen on the other three versions in the GranCabrio
range, the new headlights adopt the most modern technology, perfectly enhanced
with an extremely sporty look thanks to the matt black colour of the structure.

The bi-xenon unit inside the
headlight also incorporates Adaptive Light Control, which follows the movement
of the steering by up to 15 degrees.

The rear is characterised by
the large spoiler, for greater negative lift at high speeds. Inside the
spoiler, built into the luggage compartment, is the third brake light. The
standard version comes in the same colour as the body and it is also available,
within the various car customisation packages, with a carbon finish.

The bumper has been completely
redesigned at the bottom to make the new model even sportier and at the same
time ensure optimal aerodynamic efficiency. The circular exhausts have been
moved to the centre of the bumper and the specific layout of the air ducts,
built into the lower part of the bumper, ensure greater streamlining,
stabilising the air flow from the underbody.

Finally, the dynamism of the
GranCabrio MC is accentuated by the 20" MC Design rims, available in
glossy Titanio or matt Grafite, and made using flow-forming technology. In
addition to being lighter, they feature the traditional Trident, skilfully
worked into the double-spokes.

Interior

The interior of the GranCabrio
MC has received a thorough overhaul with particular attention paid to
ergonomics.

The new seats, completely
redesigned from both an aesthetic and functional point of view and enhanced
with high-quality materials, now ensure the optimum balance of comfort and
performance, elegance and functionality. The new structure of both the front
and rear seats now incorporates the headrest and is enhanced by an upper,
central trim, with a design inspired by the car’s front grille.

Particularly important,
especially with convertible cars, is the attention paid to the rear passengers.
For this reason, the frame for the front seats, which is also available in a
completely carbon-fibre version, has been completely redesigned to ensure 20 mm
more legroom for the rear passengers.

Particular attention has been
paid to the ergonomic and comfort-related aspects of driving. The seats, with
an increased profile to enhance their wrap-around structure and lateral
containment, ensure sporty driving while guaranteeing superior comfort, even on
very long journeys.

The steering wheel features a
new design, with the rim flattened at the top and bottom for greater maneuverability,
also for sports and high-speed use, without interfering with the driver’s legs.

The rear seats have been
redesigned according to the same logic: maximum comfort, maximum passenger
restraint in sports driving and ample use of quality materials.

To complete the new,
super-sporty look of the new GranCabrio MC, it incorporates the Trofeo-design
steering wheel paddles as standard, with increased dimensions as seen on the
GranTurismo Sport, and an aluminium pedal unit.

Engine and performance

As with the most sporty
GranTurismo in the range (the GranTurismo Sport), the GranCabrio MC also adopts
the new 4.7-litre V8 engine, which delivers 338 kW (460 HP) together with substantial
torque of 520 Nm at 4,750 rpm.

The pistons, positioned at an
angle of 90°, are made of reinforced, hardened aluminium, as is the engine
block. The crankshaft, with five-point balancing, is made of high-strength
steel.

The timing system, with a system
of two chains per bank, features dual variable valve timing.

The new power unit, in
combination with the MC Auto Shift transmission, is now able to propel the
GranCabrio MC, in closed soft top configuration, to a top speed of 289 km/h
with acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.

Automatic transmission (MC Auto Shift)

Like other sports models in
the Maserati range, the GranCabrio MC also adopts an automatic six-speed ZF
transmission able to transfer all the power of the 460 HP V8 engine to the
ground. Calibrated specifically for application on the sportiest version in the
GranCabrio range, the MC Auto Shift transmission features five operating modes.
It can be used in Auto-Normal, Auto-Sport, Manual-Normal, Manual-Sport and Ice
modes.

In Manual mode, gear changes
are carried out directly by the driver through the steering wheel paddles, as
with a truly manual gearbox. In Manual-Normal mode, the driver can change gear
until the threshold value is reached, while in Manual-Sport mode the gear is
maintained until the driver next changes gear, even if this may result in over-revving
and the intervention of the limiter.

On the GranCabrio Sport, Sport
mode includes super-fast mode, which derives directly from the GranTurismo
Sport and the Quattroporte Sport GT S and permits gear changes that are 50%
faster.

This mode includes automatic
blipping (short burst of acceleration) when downshifting with the Launch
Control system, called MC Start Strategy (which operates only with MSP
deactivated).

Using the MC Start Strategy,
the driver holds down the brake pedal, presses the accelerator pedal and then
releases the brake pedal when the optimum engine speed is reached (2,300–2,500
rpm).

Chassis and suspension

Performance, safety and
comfort were the guidelines that Maserati engineers followed when designing the
chassis for the new GranCabrio MC. In light of the experience gained with the
GranTurismo MC Stradale, it is fitted with single-rate dampers, to give maximum
emphasis to the car’s sporty character, which guarantees greater rigidity in
order to ensure optimum road holding in all driving conditions, without
detracting from maximum passenger comfort.

Braking, always powerful and
safe, is guaranteed by Maserati’s patented Dual Cast system, which includes
brake discs with aluminium bell and steel braking surface, 360×32 mm at the
front and 330×28 mm at the back.

This system guarantees the
best pedal feeling and braking efficiency, which translates to an excellent
stopping distance of 100 to 0 km/h over just 35 metres.

In addition to the
conventional holes to optimise cooling of the discs, they also feature grooves
which allow the film of water, which deposits on the discs when driving on wet
surfaces, to be eliminated and ensure that the operation of the pad’s friction
material is restored in order to ensure maximum power and braking efficiency at
all times.

The one-piece aluminium alloy
brake calipers, produced by Brembo and available in various colours, are also
six-piston at the front and four-piston at the rear. This configuration ensures
greater uniformity in braking, a constant clamping force and the sensation of a
stable and reliable pedal, reducing brake wear at the same time.

In deference to Maserati
tradition, the monocoque chassis is made with different materials to ensure
maximum weight reduction and maximum torsional rigidity. The use of
high-strength steels for the structural part and the use of aluminium and
composite materials for the moving parts, ensure maximum performance in
complete conformity with the spirit in which the new GranCabrio MC was
conceived.

GranCabrio Sport

The new GranCabrio Sport
consolidates its presence on the convertible car market with completely
revamped exteriors and a more powerful engine. The new front bumper, with
redesigned profile to enhance aesthetics and functionality, new headlights, a
new, even more powerful engine and an upgraded suspension system make the new
GranCabrio Sport a point of reference in the convertible car market. It made
its debut at the Moscow International Motor Show at the end of August.

Exterior

Already one of the most highly
regarded in the world of sports cars, the GranCabrio Sport’s bodywork has
undergone a restyling which skillfully harmonizes the characteristics of the
GranTurismo Sport.

One of the most evident new
features of the GranCabrio Sport is the design for the front end with new light
clusters. Though they maintain their external form, they now incorporate
completely new technological characteristics, including LED Daytime Running
Lights technology.

Interior

The steering wheel, with new
design, is now more ergonomic and, in combination with the extended
Trofeo-design paddles and light aluminium pedals, is better suited to sports
driving thanks to a flattened rim and accentuated grip profile.

The new grey EcoChrome
materials for the interiors and the Poltrona Frau leather upholstery complete
the existing characteristics, such as the steering wheel transmission paddles
and the aluminium pedals.

Engine

The GranCabrio Sport, which
comes with a modern V8 engine that has already become a classic, adopts the
most recent innovations in the field of engineering to deliver greater power
and torque.

Both the hardware and software
of the engine have been improved significantly, improving its power by 10 HP
and torque by 10 Nm, without adversely affecting consumption or emissions.

The automatic six-speed ZF
transmission with MC Auto Shift is perfectly capable of handling the
exceptional performance of the powerful V8 and derives from the transmission of
the GranTurismo Sport. The automatic transmission is connected directly to the
rear of the engine and transmits the torque to the same limited-slip
differential through a two-piece articulated steel crankshaft.

The GranCabrio Sport with MC
Auto Shift transmission can reach 100 km/h in just 5.0 seconds. Top speed is
285 km/h.

Chassis and suspension

The GranCabrio Sport was
designed to combine peerless driving comfort for all occupants with optimum
handling at high speeds.

Exceptional performance and
road holding, as well as the handling of a great sports car, are qualities of
the GranCabrio Sport that few other sports convertibles can boast.

This is thanks to the shock
absorbers with Sport Skyhook system, the most recent development of the
Maserati damping control system. The Sport Skyhook system constantly adjusts
the GranCabrio Sport’s shock absorbers, adapting them to the road conditions.
With the aid of a new rear anti-roll bar which is 12% more rigid, the Sport
Skyhook system allows the vertical rigidity of the GranCabrio Sport to be
increased by 10% in Sport mode.

Maserati and Bowers & Wilkins launch brand partnership

Collaboration heralds a new
era in high performance in-car audio systems

Maserati and British high-end
audio specialist Bowers & Wilkins today announce a brand partnership that
looks set to shake up the world of car audio. The three-year partnership will
produce a new high-performance in-car sound system, created by Bowers &
Wilkins in collaboration with Maserati, available exclusively in Maserati cars
from 2013.

To support the partnership,
Maserati and Bowers & Wilkins will launch a range of marketing activities
including a microsite, a documentary video and a series of events in cities
around the world. The centrepiece of the marketing drive will be Engine Note -
a campaign inspired by the seven unique notes produced by all Maserati car
engines. These engine notes will be recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London
and used to create a series of exclusive tracks, mixed by musician and producer
Howie B, and available to hear in high-definition audio.

Along with the new car-audio
system, the Maserati/Bowers & Wilkins partnership will produce a range of
limited edition co-branded audio products, including high performance speakers
and headphones.

The first half of 2012 for MASERATI

In the first half of 2012,
network sales comprised 3,322 units, with an increase of 3.4% compared to the
first half of 2011.

Maserati made profits of 324
million euros, with an increase of approximately 7%, compared to the 303
million recorded in the same period in 2011.

In the first half of 2012,
operating profits reached 23 million euros, an improvement on the same period
last year, when operating profits were 18 million euros.

In the second quarter of 2012,
Maserati delivered 1,762 cars to the network (+1% approx. compared to the
second quarter of 2011). The increases recorded in the USA (+23%), China (+20%)
and the Middle East (+83%) were significant, while there has been a reduction
of 40% in Europe.

Profits for the quarter
totalled 171 million euros, growth of approximately 2% compared to the same
period in 2011.

The second quarter of 2012
closed with operating profits and EBIT of 11 million euros, with an increase of
2 million euros compared to the second quarter of 2011.

Maserati Trofeo MC World Series

The Maserati Trofeo MC World
Series is ever more gripping and spectacular. Its success is guaranteed by the
fascination of the historic, highly distinguished brand that is Maserati, but
also by its formula, updated from 2011, which includes six rounds in three
different continents: the United States and China in addition to Europe.

The format includes two types
of race: standard programme (three rounds) with two trials each lasting 40
minutes and an endurance formula (three events) with two 30-minute races and
one 50-minute race every weekend, with compulsory pit stop and change of driver
for two-driver crews. The GranTurismo MC Trofeo has also seen changes. It has
been significantly upgraded from last season with a new set-up which sees the
adoption of an aerodynamic kit and reduction in weight which have made it even
more competitive.

The excellent result
translated into a series of starting grids for the various circuits which were
always packed out, as in the trial in the United States, where the 23
registered cars on the track at Infineon (CA) near San Francisco represented 14
countries.

One race from the end, the
struggle for the top spot is still open, and the “Trofeo Assoluto” will be
awarded in the grand finale slated for 4 November at the Shanghai Formula 1
circuit in China.

In the meantime, in the fourth
round in July in France on the Paul Ricard circuit, the Belgian Renaud Kuppens
(already driver in the FIA GT) of Konvex Motorsport has already taken the
European Trofeo, having come out on top on the asphalt of the “old continent”
(at Jarama, Portimao and Imola in addition to Paul Ricard).

The Maserati programme also
includes the participation of two Quattroporte belonging to the private Swiss
Team in the Superstars International championship, where it holds the drivers
title, won thanks to Andrea Bertolini’s success in 2011. This year the Swiss
Team’s priorities have changed, always aiming for the top spot but with
different players. This is why one of the cars was entrusted solely to driver
Mauro Cesari, while a second was “divvied up” between a foursome of ex Formula
1 drivers who took turns at the wheel: Mika Salo, Christian Fittipaldi, Johnny
Herbert and Christian Klein, triumphant in race 2 in Budapest.

Furthermore, the collaboration
of the Modenese carmaker with the Swiss Team has led to the development of the
Maserati GranTurismo MC GT3. Currently it has only been in some private tests,
at the Spanish GT race at Jarama in May and recently at Hungaroring in the
sixth round of the GT Open International. Work is underway to prepare for
possible use in a championship in the next season.

That’s without forgetting that
March saw the conclusion of the first Trofeo Maserati JBF RAK, Maserati’s
mono-brand competition contested exclusively in the Middle East over six
compelling rounds on the Formula 1 tracks at Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and
Bahrain, in which the Lebanese Joe Ghanem emerged triumphant.